More fang for your buck

Hunt will rattle cages in Waurika for 51st year, and will raise funds for firefighters

A performer from James White and the Outlaw Handlers balances a snake on another performer's head during one of their thrill shows at the Waurika Fangtastic Rattlesnake Hunt in 2011.
Times Record News file photo

Times Record News File Photo
A large Western diamondback rattlesnake is plucked off a rock on a rocky hillside near Waurika in this file photograph. The Oklahoma town controls the snake population with its annual Fangtastic Rattlesnake Festival this weekend.

A Western diamondback rattlesnake lifts his body off the ground in a strike position. Waurika's 51st Fangtastic rattlesnake hunt is this weekend. Festivalgoers can expect snake handlers, a carnival, snake hunts and can even get their photograph taken with a defanged rattler. Times Record News File Photo

Times Record News file photo
A festival attendee gets cozy with a rattlesnake at the Fangtastic Rattlesnake Hunt in Waurika, Okla., in 2011. The event, which returns this weekend, benefits the Waurika Volunteer Fire Department.

Times Record News file art
Brayden Strange takes his photo with a diamondback rattlesnake at the Fangtastic Rattlesnake Hunt in Waurika, Okla., in 2011. The festival returns for its 51st year this weekend.

Rattlesnake meat?

Tastes like chicken — or so it's been said.

One of the ways to prove it is to take a little trip to Waurika, Okla., population 2,000, where the talk — accomplished via forked tongues and not-so-forked tongues — is that the town's annual Fangtastic Rattlesnake Hunt will be on the move this weekend.

It's the one place where you're sure to get a chance to taste rattlesnake meat, among other delicacies. The event has slithered along for more than five decades — this is the 51st year — to control the rattlesnake population and to raise funds for the much-deserving Waurika Volunteer Fire Department. Like other volunteer fire organizations, the Waurika Volunteer Fire Department is challenged with coming up with enough funding to support the work it does — work in the past two years that has been sorely needed, considering some active wildfire seasons.

Rattlesnake hunters have already brought in snakes as the festival gears up for its three-day run today to Sunday in downtown Waurika.

Some of the snakes will be turned into those previously mentioned rattlesnake delicacies, among other things.

Not that the hunts will wane by opening day. Far from it.

"Caravans will be going out during the day (of this weekend's hunt)," England added.

Those plucky few who want to go on a rattlesnake hunt might find the payoff worth it, since awards are given for longest snake, most rattles and for those who find the four marked snakes that have been unleashed in the hunt area.

In addition to the hunts, a popular attraction, as always, is the thrill show delivered once again by James White and the Outlaw Handlers of Granbury, Texas. The Outlaws will dally along with various feats of daring — everything from balancing a rattler on their heads to slipping into a sleeping bag of snakes or handling multiple snakes at the same time.

Visitors, too, might consider getting their pictures taken with a rattlesnake gingerly wrapped around their shoulders. No worries, though, since the picture-taking snake has been defanged.

England said one of the newer features to add excitement to the weekend, as if rattlesnake handlers and photos with live snakes aren't enough, are the helicopter rides by S&B Helicopter Tours, based in Grady, Okla. The tours will take guests for a bird's-eye view of the Waurika area.

"Most people like to walk around and look at the vendors, stop by the thrill show and see the snakes," said England. They also like to stop by the Fangtastic Butcher Shoppe, where they can purchase snake meat, rattlers or hides.

Even if you're spooked by snakes, the event offers something for you. Get some shopping done among the vendors, ride a few of the carnival rides or partake of food that isn't of the snake variety. Yes, expect fair food like hamburgers and the like.

Festivities begin tonight with karaoke at the Chandelier Club (karaoke your heart out, too, Saturday night). A 5K run and 1-mile run/walk departs on Saturday morning (registration starts at 8 a.m.), and festivities wrap up with the longest snake auction on Sunday night.

England said organizers are expecting big crowds for the hunt.

"Last year we estimated about 25,000 people attended," she said, with most coming from the surrounding small communities in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas.

And those big crowds are good news for the fire department, which in the past has used funds for items such as a Jaws of Life, new firetruck and other equipment.

Thanks to the hunt, the fire department is able to raise $30,000 to $40,000 annually.